Month: January 2018

I’ve tried many different products and samples to maintain clear skin. Some products were ineffective, while others stopped working once my skin acclimatized to them. The products I currently use are soothing on my sensitive skin while still effective for breakouts.

1. Tarte Cosmetics Deep Dive Cleansing Gel

This brightening gel cleanser from Tarte is gentle enough to use daily to cleanse and reduce breakouts. It does not foam or leave any residue, which keeps my skin clear without clogging my pores. This cleanser is the main product I apply as part of my skin care routine.

2. GlamGlow Super Mud Clearing Treatment

I like to apply a heavy-duty cleanser once a week. GlamGlow’s Super Mud Clearing Treatment is a thicker mud mask that minimizes pores while maintaining the skin’s natural moisture. It contains active charcoal and salylic acid to lift away dirt and other skin-clogging debris. This mask refreshes my skin and decreases any blemishes I may have.

3. Clarins SOS Hydra Refreshing Hydration Mask

One skincare product I don’t use diligently is a moisturizer. On days when my skin is dry and just needs extra moisture, I apply this hydration mask from Clarins. It is a cooling, cream-gel mask that delivers hydration. While it does not cleanse or brighten my skin, it effectively hydrates and refreshes my skin. If my skin appears drier or dull this mask is the perfect product to introduce more moisture into my skin.

What skin care products are you currently using? let me know in the comments below!

Blush is one item that I’ve worn a lot this season. My go-to blush is Anastasia Beverly Hills Blush Trio in the shade Pool Party. This blush palette gives my skin the perfect hint of pink.

The Packaging

The blushes come in a sturdy, weighted compact. This design makes the blushes travel-friendly and easy to mix-and-match. I adore the sleek design of the palette, which features the ABH logo and a shiny black finish.

The Blush

The blush texture is soft, smooth and not chalky. The blush applies creamy but remains dry. Each colour is buildable and allows you to apply a lighter or darker shade.

The Colour

I own the Pink Passion palette. This palette features peach and pink blushes. The three colours in this palette are:

Basically – Orchid pink

Sugar – Bubblegum pink

Rose – Petal pink

Overall, this trio of blushes is a great product if you’re looking for a lightweight, pigmented blush. Anastasia Beverly Hills Blush Trio retails at Sephora for $30.

Stress is a normal part of everyday life. As much as we’d like to just drop everything and start a vacation, we usually just have to power through it and keep working. It is not easy to relive all the stressors in your life, so here are three quick ways to de-stress:

1. Find a short, relaxing exercise routine

A short exercise routine like stretching or a brief jog is ideal when you don’t have a lot of extra time. If you devote just 10-15 minutes to exercising each day (even if it just involves taking the stairs instead of an elevator) you accomplish three things: (1) You get your blood flowing, (2) You relax, and (3) You stretch any tight muscles.

2. Set a daily routine for yourself

Any joyful tasks that you enjoy doing on a daily basis have therapeutic benefits. For me, drinking my daily cup of coffee and applying makeup are calming activities. Maintaining a daily routine is an effective personal development practice. By engaging in a daily activity, you devote time to you.

3. Just breathe

Practicing deep breathing exercises can dramatically reduce stress and tension. Take a few slow, deep breaths each day to relieve stress. Mindfulness apps that include breathing techniques (my personal favorite is Calm – it features meditation and deep-breathing techniques for stress reduction.

I received a sample of Tarte Cosmetics Deep Dive Cleansing Gel recently at Sephora. This face cleanser is one of the products in Tarte’s Rainforest of the Sea skincare line. This gentle cleanser is both an effective skincare product and makeup remover, which makes it one of my favorite multi-purpose products! The cleanser brightens, hydrates, and gently cleanses.

The Packaging

Like other Tarte products, this product comes in a colorful bottle. The cleanser is packaged into a bottle with a pump to easily dispense it. The package features an intricate pattern of delicate leaves. The bottle is lightweight and the pump design ensures that the product is mess-free.

The Product

I enjoy using face cleansers that are soft, lightly-fragrant and non-irritating. This cleanser from Tarte is a must-have for me. The cleanser itself is cool and clear, and it gently lathers when you rub it between your fingertips. Once massaged into the skin, it rinses quickly without leaving a residue. After 1-2 uses, my skin appeared softer, hydrated, and I noticed fewer blemishes.

How to use it?

This cleanser is my go-to on mornings when I only have a few minutes to spare on my skincare. Dispense the product onto your fingertips before gently rubbing them together. Once a lather forms, massage the gel into your skin in circular motions before rinsing with warm water. I like to use this cleanser on a daily basis to supplement my skincare routine.

Tarte’s Deep Dive Cleansing Gel is a gentle, soothing, and effective cleanser. Because it may be used as a cleanser or makeup remover, it can be included throughout your skin care routine. It is gentle and leaves your skin feeling moisturized. The product retails for $30 at Sephora.

I love wearing vibrant, bright lipstick colours. When I apply my lipstick in the morning, I use a few simple tips to keep it in place all day long. (Just a note about these tips: Despite how many I’ve tried, I have discovered that even my longest-wearing lipstick is not kiss-proof.)

1. Exfoliate your lips

Applying a lip scrub to your pout before lipstick prevents your lips from becoming dry. Use a gentle lip scrub to exfoliate the lips and create a smooth canvas for lip colour.

2. Prime your lips with foundation

If you do not have a lip liner, your favourite foundation is a great substitute for a lipstick base! Apply your foundation to the lips and let dry. The colour will diminish the natural pigment of your lips to create a neutral base for lipstick. Lipstick also tends to adhere to the lips better if it is swiped over a base product.

3. Set your lip colour with powder

Apply a translucent/pressed powder to your lips between lipstick coats to strengthen the base for your colour. A translucent/pressed powder will also help set any liner that you applied to the lips.

Growing a new blog takes time and effort. Based on tips and my own experience, I’ve created a list of three ways that you can grow your blog in 2018.

1. Specify your niche

What topics are you passionate about? To determine your blog’s niche, you need to think about the topics and ideas that you enjoy writing about. Also, you need to think about who your readers are. After you’ve determined your target audience, begin to brainstorm how your writing will benefit them. This process will make it easier to determine specific topics and categories for your blog.

2. Invest in a responsive theme for your blog

Find a theme that suits your niche. I like to select themes that are elegant yet aesthetically-pleasing. Themes that fit your blog’s main topics will encourage readership. A great way to individualize your blog theme is to select different widgets, colors, and font options.

3. Find a guest blogger

At first glance, guest blogging may not seem attractive. Including guest blog posts on your website is beneficial for many reasons:

Origins Eye Cream is a moisturizing serum that reduces signs of aging. This cream is also useful for reducing puffiness around the eyes, which makes it a useful product even if your skin is wrinkle-free. I use it in the mornings to reduce puffiness and the cream provides a smooth, hydrated base for my eye makeup.

The Packaging

Like other Origins products, this eye cream is packaged in a simple, clean tube. The design on the tube displays the Origins logo, making it tidy and clear. The tube itself is white and opaque with a rounded top to dispense the cream.

The Cream

The cream feels light and cooling once applied to the skin. I use it underneath my eyes to combat puffiness but it can also be used to add moisture to the eyelids. It also absorbs into the skin quickly without leaving residue. After 1-2 uses, I noticed the areas underneath my eyes appeared brighter and de-puffed.

How to use it?

It may be used both morning and night. Wash your face and eyelids then gently pat dry. After applying your favourite cleanser, apply the eye cream in a gentle patting motion.

This cream de-puffs the eyes while adding extra moisture. I like that it is fast-absorbing and moisturizes quickly. This product is quick and easy to use, which makes it a great addition to your daily skin care routine.

Adding highlighter to your face is transformative. Whether you prefer a cream, powder, or liquid formula, a good highlighter adds dimension and luminescence to your skin. While a range of highlighter products exist, not every product will suit all skin tones. Here are my top tips to help you select a highlighter based on your skin tone:

1. Know your skin’s undertones

The most flattering highlight shade is one that is slightly lighter than your skin tone. You can either choose a color that is harmonious with your skin tone, or one that is the opposite. A harmonious highlight shade will create a more natural look, while an opposite colour will create a dramatic effect.

2. Mix it up

If you just can’t seem to find the perfect shade for you, try mixing highlighter into your foundation. This trick will give the skin a natural, subtle radiance that is not overly sparkly. Blend equal parts of your foundation and highlight before applying it to the skin to achieve a flawless complexion.

3. Try before you buy

A good rule of thumb when buying any highlighter is to try it in-store first. Testing a specific shade before buying it will give you an indication of how the colour will appear on your skin.

Welcome to the last few days of 2017! I bought a range of new makeup and skincare products throughout the year. While it was difficult to narrow down, today I’ll share my top four products of 2017.

1. Huda Beauty Desert Dusk Palette

This palette was my favourite eyeshadow to use this year. The matte, shimmer and pure glitter shades made this palette very versatile. I adore the range of colours – from shimmering champagne to burnt orange with pops of purple. This palette enabled me to effortlessly create an everyday eyeshadow look or a glittery smoky eye.

2. Beauty Blender Sponge

I sacrificed two BeautyBlender sponges this year. The small, pointed sponges became a staple in my makeup kit to apply face makeup. I adored my BeautyBlender this year because it is portable, easy to clean and is a quick tool to use daily.

3. MAC Fix+

My MAC Fix+ spray kept my makeup looking flawless all year. This light, refreshing mist solidified my daily makeup and I used it religiously. This spray also became a versatile mist to dampen brushes.

4. GlamGlow Super Mud Clearing Treatment

I spent most of the year testing different skincare products. My skin is acne-prone and I’ve tried a lot of products before I found a routine that works for me. I discovered GlamGlow’s Super Mud mask collection in October and it has dramatically cleared my breakouts. The mask became a perfect addition to my skincare routine this fall/winter.